Summary: If there was a capital city of decadence it resides within Zenith. Zenith’s is ruled by its rich upper class while the poor live on the outskirts of the major city. Every year they host the Grand Melee where the poor are given a chance to change their status to earn the title of Zeni and are rewarded with riches fit for the status. Some of the most skilled blade masters hail from Zenith because of the rewards from winning the Grand Melee. Due to the the decadence of their lifestyles and the almost impossible means required to sustain them, much of the rich rely on thieves and assassins to procure wealth and secure power weeding out potential competition.

Ruled by wealthy aristocrats usually referred to as Zeni
Economic Status:

While the Country is stable, the constant consumption of the aristocrats is weighing heavily on the lower class populous causing continuous uprisings
Main Resources:

Zenith Oil, Wine, Gold, and Assorted Agriculture
Religion:

Citizens of Zenith worship and celebrate all the gods with festivals every month. However, the Aristocracy worship their own accomplishments and wealth.
Geographical Zone:

The major capital sits in the center of the old Continent and due to its location they control much of the trade between the east and west sides of the old continent. Trading through the region is heavily regulated and taxed by Zenith resulting in the formation of many smuggling outfits in the area.
Race(s) that established this kingdom:

Human
Races that live in the kingdom:

The stigma against non-humans is extreme in some of the smaller cities.
The Northern cities especially have a distaste for Wishlings and Djinn due to historical events.
In the capital there is little stigma, as an individual’s overall acceptance comes from your status and wealth.
Reason for sending Colonists:

Zenith wishes to protect their stake in the world economy as well as their interest in watching IL Paraonde and the Alfar.
Political Allies:

Il Paraonde

An uneasy alliance exists for the benefit of trade between the eastern and western sides of the continent.
The Therian Tribes

Their alliance is more out of mutual benefit than anything else as they share a distrust of The Iron Empire of Durgheim.
Summary

If there was a capital city of decadence it resides within Zenith. Zenith’s is ruled by its rich upper class while the poor live on the outskirts of the major city. Every year they host the Grand Melee where the poor are given a chance to change their status, earn the title of Zeni, and are rewarded with riches fit for the status. Some of the most skilled blade masters hail from Zenith because of the rewards from winning the Grand Melee. Due to the decadence of their lifestyles and the almost impossible means required to sustain them, much of the rich rely on thieves and assassins to procure wealth, secure power weed out their competition.
Costuming

Italian and Roman names. You can be from one of the main houses below or create your own (to be approved by staff).
Current Important People:

Ponce Lenard

A Famous Tinkerer and inventor. A man of and loved by the people from the region of Est. He governs this eastern region of Zenith.
Sturgeon Remordeus

Rumoured to be a Descendant of the Shacklers. He is the leader of the Remordeus Guard that protects the capital city of Zenith. Loved among the rich and feared among the poor, he is known for his brutal but efficient tactics.
Adrianna Spinitriae

Leader of The Spinitriae House. She governs over the monthly celebrations to the gods. Loved among the people for her charity and philanthropy.
Ondjuit Torstein

Brother to the revered leader of the Torstein house; he is the only remaining member of his blood line which has been wiped out.
Ook’zani Sylvane

Thought to be a half orc half human who by some miracle survived birth, unlike most halflings who are stillborn or die shortly after birth.
Famous Legends

Legend of The Mute and The Old Way

Long ago before the tribes of man unified they were scattered, vulnerable, and ostracized by the older surrounding races who left them to struggle to find their own means to survive in the north. During this time the Orcs were a more savage race of pillagers and conquerors. Known to raid the tribes of humans constantly and with little resistance due to the lack of unification among them. Orcs were known to take the children of tribes into captivity to use as slaves, especially from tribes they feared were stronger hoping to quell the threat of humans gaining any foothold in the land.
There was one such child taken to become a slave who would rise to become the chosen one and lead humanity into the golden age. His tribe was wiped out for the weapons they could forge; weapons that the world had never seen. It was said they killed his parents in front of him and that this drove him into such a furious rage he picked up a sword twice his size, still hot from the forge, and gouged out the eye of the orc, who legend now refers to as One Eye. The orc grabbed the boy by his throat intending to choke the life from him but stopped. It’s not known why he didn’t kill the boy then but scholars speculate as to the reason. In the end the Orc known as One Eye took the boy and raised him, causing One Eye to become an outcast amongst his own people.
The boy became known as The Mute Mule as he spoke little and did much of One Eye’s and the tribes more menial labor. As the years passed One Eye noticed the boy possessed incredible strength and endurance. The tribe treated him as nothing more than a simple slave but to One Eye, he became the son he could never have. Even from his early years he showed interest to learn the ways of Orcs and excelled in everything that One Eye taught him. His interest to learn the Orcs Rites of Combat lead One Eye, who taught all Orcs to fight before he lost his, to teach Mute to fight in secret. When the boy reached maturity he was taller and stronger than most of the Orcs. He became more of a target of ridicule to the point where he was forced to use what One Eye taught him to defend himself by breaking the arm of the Chief’s son. This caused the Chief to call a moot to decided what to do with Mute. One Eye claimed that the boy was special, he himself having seen visions from the gods declaring Mute to be his son and earning him the rites and status of a full tribesmen. Outraged the Chief told One Eye that either he kill Mute for his blasphemy or that he leave the tribe to live as a true outcast to all other orc tribes and take upon himself the accursed brand. One Eye declared that the choice was already made and taking the brand he burned the accursed eye into Mutes forehead who barely flinches before branding himself. The Chief declared that they have one day to gather their things and leave the camp before they are driven out.
That night while Mute was readying the horses to leave, the chief’s son set upon their tent with a group of orcs, mortally wounding One Eye just as Mute returned to the tent to stop them. Mute dispatched them with such furiosity that the blood flowed out from the tent and the screams woke the rest of the tribe. He picked up One Eye and carried him out as the whole tribe watched, too scared by the fire in his eyes to stop him.
Mute walked and walked until he reached the Mountains of the Zenith. It was there that One Eye began to tell him of the visions he’s had and the vision he saw the day when they first met. To truly be free he tells Mute he must find his own path and make his own way, free of the burden of vengeance that One Eye started when he killed his parents. The Old way demands that a grudge be settled in combat and One Eye declared that Mute defend himself. Mute hesitated as One Eye began to goad him into fighting. Grabbing Mute by the throat, he began to crush him but Mute broke his hold and embraced him for once last time before crushing One Eye to death in his embrace.
From then on the story goes that Mute went from tribe to tribe challenging them in the Old Way. By defeating their leaders he gathered the tribes of men together, unifying much of the tribes of men and bringing about the Golden Age that lead to the formation of Zenith. It is said he was never defeated in battle and chose to lead by example. He established the old law and many of the laws of man still practiced have their roots steeped in his legend. When the great houses of man were established and humanity had reached its pinnacle, he realized he finished all that he set out to do and his path would continue on elsewhere. He left, and is thought to wander the world to this day.
Legend of the Magic Eaters

Before the Great Purge, during the Time of Succession when Draioch and Durghiem succeeded, otherworldly creatures began to appear causing chaos and fear. They were known to attack people, eating some alive. Possessed with magical abilities they were a great scourge on the land and kingdom of Zenith. A group of heroes calling themselves the Shacklers explained that these beasts were the direct cause of magical abilities and users. Furthermore, these heroes had ways in which they could quell the problem but peace could only truly come if they purged magic completely from the land. This meant they needed to put an end to not only magic itself but those who used it. Through a secret rite they drew out the power of magic from the user, lobotomizing them in the process.
The Birth of Humankind

The most prominent belief that most humans hold is that they rose from the dew of the earth and gained enlightenment by consuming the Zenith Blossom Oil.
The Old Way: Legend of the First Tribes

As humankind populated the world they formed larger groups of tribes. Early in the history of humankind the life of every person was viewed as sacred and they revered all life as such. As more and more tribes were formed they saw the need to establish a system of laws to settle grudges between separate tribes. Singular combat was used as the last resort to settle disputes. Later on this evolved into how tribes conquered other tribes to avoid mass bloodshed and eventually, after the establishment of Zenith, it is celebrated as the grand melee tournament in the capital city to this day.
History:

The Birth of Zenith

After a rather dark age had ended, the tribes of man started to band together and establish the city of Zenith. In the early years it was a place of hope that other tribes could join to insure their survival and prosperity. As more and more tribes joined, the city became many cities until the great houses established Zenith as the capital and unified together as the kingdom of Zenith.
Factions

The Great Houses

Torstien

Symbol of the Eye. House of Gladiatorial Training. This house has been in control of Zenith since its first inception. They worship the shedding of blood in combat and practice their own form of blood magic. They view all other forms of magic as weak and refrain from using blood magic in combat.
Remordeus

Symbol of the Black Scepter. After the majority of the Onyx Floret Guard seceded from Zenith, the Remordeus took their place as the prime guards in the capital city though they protect the rich from the populace unlike the Onyx Floret Guard.
Spinitriae – Symbol is a Spindle of Black Thread. Gained their power through courtesans and dancers. Secret Cabal of Assassins and Alchemists.
House Rural

Symbol of Golden Grain. The Lesser houses and tribes that formed Zenith are among the Rurals. There are more than one can count with many symbols and banners that represent them. Considered the lower class of society they eke out a meager living, surviving as best they can while being exploited by the rich ruling houses.
House Sylvane

Symbol of Sword with a burning Hilt. Humans of the forest. In recent times they are viewed as a scourge against Zenith that needed to be quelled. They are at constant war with the Zeniths Legion Nord armies in minor skirmishes, using guerilla warfare like tactics to steal supplies. Many of the Sylvane have embedded themselves into the common areas of life within Zenith and the Northern Cities. There are rumors that they have infiltrated other houses in an attempt to overthrow the current rulers.
The Zenith Legions

For centuries prior to today, Zenith was considered to have the finest military in the world. Over the years, due to wars and the decadence of its wealthy rulers, its greatness has waned and they have fallen out of power. However, the history and practices have remained intact and with its organization, equipment and ferocity; they remain a force to be reckoned with. The poorer populace within Zenith join the military in the hopes of achieving a better life through the promises of citizenry and wealth. Those promises, however, have been grossly exaggerated by the ruling class in an effort to gain vast troops.
The Legions are made up of 4 unique troops tasked with protecting the North, East, South, and West regions. Individually they each contain a unique culture all their own being originally established by 4 different Houses that have since grown by taking in smaller houses or travelers. It is important to note that the military itself is made up of several thousand heavy infantry and auxiliary units being standardized throughout the 4 Legions.
Legion I Nord

Tasked with protecting the borders between Zenith and its former colonies; Draioch and Durgheim. Practitioners of mountain warfare and supplemented by Draioch loyalists auxilla. The Hiberno Wall stretches most of the Northern frontier, staffed by Legio Nord.
Legion II Sud

Tasked with protecting the border between Zenith and Sahir. A tough border to protect as Zenith’s sweeping hillsides and grasslands begin to turn into brutal sand dunes and oasis. The Legionnaires who are stationed here tend to forsake the heavy armor for light chain and leather, to fight the pirates that plague the deserts of Sahir. Due to the recent, albeit brief, war with Harshorne, this garrison has vastly depleted numbers. However, they continue on with a strong hatred of Harshorne and Zenith defectors: The Onyx Floret Guard.
Legion IV Est

Tasked with protecting the Eastern borders of the Therian Tribes and the Mogatai Orc Empire. The standard heavy infantry is complimented by large amounts of light cavalry in order to protect incursions by possible renegade orc bands. One of the only Legion that is made up of over half as many other races especially Dwarves, Orcs and Therians. All of that makes the 4th legion one of the most culturally diverse of Zenith’s Legion resulting in some mistrust between them and the Capitol.
Legion III Ovest

Tasked with keeping watch of the Forbodenwoad to the west as well as Il Paraonde. They are a diversely trained legion often culling their numbers from the other legions in an effort to secure the western borders since the war the Great Purge.
Dissidents and Deserters

The Onyx Floret Guard And House Torstein

Lead by Othello Torstein, brother of Ondjuit Torstein. An elite military force designed to protect the rich from domestic and foreign threats. Chosen as children and taken into house Torstein they are trained in the ancient rites of combat. One can find renegade Finadainn from Draioch serving in this guard, Water Fencers from Il Paraonde, or even Sahir Dervishes who claim their heritage back to the original tribes of man and seek to honor their ancestors.
The Onyx Guard and Ondjuit Torstein were escorting a group of emissaries from Harshorne and a Wishling named Toren Zeni the victor of the most recent Grand Melee when they came under attack from the Sud Legion. Ondjuit’s brother did not survive but the rest of their group made it back to Harshorne. Ondjuit and the Onyx guard remained in Harshorne after getting word of the death of his brothers family and the rest of house Torstein at the hands of assassins. Given a parcel of land by Harshorne for bringing Toren home safely, he has become enamored with the Wishlings way of life and honor and has gone down the path of In Ambitus Sojourn.
Other Lore:

The Title of Zeni

People who have reached the pinnacle of their study are given the title Zeni. For instance, the great champion Richard Preston earned the title Zeni after becoming the winner of the Grand Melee.
Zenith Blossom

(possibility of it changing color when removed from the ground) Is a golden stemmed black colored flower whose petals are known for their great beauty. It is native to the area around the city of Zenith. The seeds from the flower contain a potent healing property that if not prepared properly can result in a Hallucinogenic trip.
The Grand Melee Tournament

The tournament is held every year in celebration of the Old Way and is an opportunity for the lower class to win enough wealth to become an aristocrat.
Monthly celebrations

Each month they celebrate the gods in a grandiose manner with feasts and parades in a weekend celebration usually on the 3rd weekend of the month.